Can cats drink milk?
Short answer: they can drink it, but they shouldn't. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, so a saucer of cow's milk usually means an upset stomach — not the treat or the hydration people intend. Here is what actually happens, and what to offer instead.
Why adult cats can't handle cow's milk
Kittens produce lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the lactose in their mother's milk. Production drops sharply after weaning, so most adult cats no longer digest lactose properly. Undigested lactose ferments in the gut and draws in water, which is why milk so often ends in loose stools, gas, cramping or vomiting within 8–12 hours.
But my cat loves milk
Cats are drawn to the fat and protein in milk, not the lactose — and enjoying something is not the same as tolerating it. Cow's milk is also calorie-dense: a small saucer can be a meaningful share of a cat's daily energy, which encourages weight gain in indoor cats.
What about lactose-free or 'cat milk'?
Lactose-free milk and commercial cat-milk products remove the digestive problem but stay high in fat and calories, so they belong in the occasional-treat category. They are not a hydration strategy and never replace fresh water.
What cats should actually drink
Fresh water first, in several wide, shallow bowls kept away from the litter tray and food, refreshed twice a day. Add a wet-food meal — it is roughly 75–80% water. If your cat simply refuses to drink enough, the lever is palatability: a flavoured, cat-appropriate fluid it actually wants.
Where Cat Soda fits
Cat Soda is a still, sugar-free and lactose-free functional drink developed in Switzerland specifically for cats. Premium poultry hydrolysate delivers the taste cats seek out, taurine supports heart and eye health, and a premium omega-3 source supports skin, coat and joints. It is a drink alongside fresh water and a balanced diet — not a milk substitute or a meal. The first pilot batch ships to the waitlist in Switzerland and the UK.
FAQ
- Can cats drink cow's milk?
- Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, so cow's milk commonly causes diarrhoea, gas or vomiting. It is best avoided.
- Can kittens drink cow's milk?
- No. Kittens need their mother's milk or a proper kitten milk replacer; cow's milk lacks the right nutrient profile and can cause diarrhoea.
- Is lactose-free milk safe for cats?
- It removes the lactose problem but is still fatty and calorie-dense, so treat it as an occasional treat rather than a source of hydration.
- What can cats drink besides water?
- Water and drinks formulated specifically for cats. Cat Soda is non-carbonated, sugar-free and lactose-free, made for cats.
Read the full cat hydration guide
Be first to try it
Join the waitlist for the first pilot batch in Switzerland and the UK.